A pilot trial of Novartis adjuvanted cell culture-based A(H1N1) vaccine[1] indicates that the "swine flu" vaccine elicited a strong immune response and was well tolerated. The trial was run by the UK's University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester. The vaccine, to be called Celtura®, was tested with 100 healthy volunteers, aged between 18 and 50.
The trial evaluated the tolerability and immunogenicity of the vaccine. Different schedules and timing between vaccinations were tested. The vaccine schedule comprised one or two doses of 7.5µg MF-59® adjuvanted surface-antigen A/California/2009 vaccine derived from cell-culture. Results showed that the serum antibody responses were highest among subjects who received two doses of vaccine, however a single vaccine dose also induced responses associated with protection against influenza. Hemagglutination-inhibition titres reached 1:40 or greater in 80 percent and more than 90 percent of those receiving one dose and two doses respectively. These would satisfy the immunogenicity criteria as set out by European and US regulators. The findings showed that it is possible to induce protective antibodies against A(H1N1) infection within two weeks of administration of a single low-dose adjuvanted vaccine. Non-adjuvanted formulations were not evaluated in the study.
Additional pivotal clinical trials, with larger numbers of subjects and sponsored by Novartis, are already under way around the world. They will include more than 6000 adults and children.
"The pilot trial results are encouraging," said Dr. Andrin Oswald, CEO of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics. "The study suggests that while two doses seem to provide better protection, one dose of our adjuvanted Celtura vaccine may be sufficient to protect adults against the swine flu. This is important information for public health authorities who prepare for vaccination in the coming months with limited vaccine supply."
The pilot trial was led by Dr. Stephenson of the Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation at the University of Leicester. He is a clinical senior lecturer at the University, and a consultant in infectious diseases at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. Dr. Stephenson said "the aim of the trial was to find out how many doses and what type of vaccine is needed to give protection. These initial results should help to plan vaccination campaigns in the autumn, including doses and timings. We concluded that the MF59-adjuvanted A(H1N1) vaccine of low antigen content was well tolerated and generated antibody responses associated with protection against influenza, even after a single dose."
About Novartis
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics is a Novartis division focused on the development of preventive treatments. The division has two businesses: Novartis Vaccines and Chiron. Novartis Vaccines is the world's fifth-largest vaccines manufacturer and second-largest supplier of flu vaccines in the US. The division's products also include meningococcal, pediatric and travel vaccines. Chiron, the blood testing and molecular diagnostics business, is dedicated to preventing the spread of infectious diseases through the development of novel blood-screening tools that protect the world's blood supply.
Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in each of these areas. In 2008, the Group's continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 41.5 billion and net income of USD 8.2 billion. Approximately USD 7.2 billion was invested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 99,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
[1] Development of Novartis' cell-based influenza vaccine, construction of the cell-based influenza manufacturing facility at Holly Springs, NC and purchase of H1N1 antigen and adjuvant are being funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Office of Research and Development Coordination, under Contract Numbers HHSO100200600012C, HHSO100200900101C and HHSO100200800072I, respectively.